A suite of Directoire carved mahogany seat furniture attributed to Jacob Frères circa 1800

comprising four bergères en gondole and a canapé, upholstered in cream and green velvet; two fauteuils marked DOHET

Sotheby's Monaco, Bel Ameublement, 30 November 1986, lot 940

A set in very good conserved condition and ready to place. Re-polished, with minor marks and scratches consistent with age and use, and hardly noticeable restorations to the veneer. One fauteuil with pencil inscription 'Gilbert'.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Related literature:

M. Jarry, Le Siège Français, Fribourg 1973, pl. III 268.

The exhibition catalogue Le mobilier du General Moreau, Musée national du Château de Fontainebleau, 16 June-14 September 1992, p. 44, no. 36, illustrates a chair of identical form with rams' mask terminals on the top-rail attributed to Jacob Frères, although with different legs. 

Gondoles almost identical to the aforementioned are found in two Palaces of which Percier and Fontaine supervised the decorations: Malmaison and Saint-Cloud. In the boudoir of the small appartments of the Empress at Saint Cloud, there is recorded in the inventory of 1807`deux causeuses en forme de gondole...' ; furthermore, there exists in the Mobilier national a gondole in mahogany with rams' heads and with goats' feet as on the present gondoles.